Killer Cold Virus (Adenovirus Infection, Ad14) (cont.)

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.

What is the treatment for an Adenovirus 14 (Ad14) infection?

Treatment for Ad14 infection in most people consists of supportive care (rest, fluids, and fever reduction) because many people do well and have no problems. However, the Ad14 infections that progress require more intensive care; about 40% have required hospitalization in some outbreaks and some require respiratory assistance (intubation or mechanical breathing support) and intensive care. Mortality (death) rate has been as high as 5% in some settings. There are many reports of use of antivirals in severe Ad14 infections, but there are no good studies that support specific antivirals. Some benefits of antivirals such as ribavirin
(Rebetol, Copegus) and cidofovir (Vistide) have been documented in ill patients;
in severe cases, clinicians may try such agents because there is no other
treatment other than supportive care. The effectiveness of antiviral medications
has not been well studied in Ad14 infections. Consultation with an infectious disease, pulmonary, or ophthalmologist consultant, depending where the severe infection is located, is advised.

What are complications of an Adenovirus 14 infection?

Most people require neither treatment nor hospitalization, and they do not
develop complications. However, complications may be mild to dire if the Ad14 disease progresses and the complication types are related to the organ system(s) bearing the most severe infection. Complications include bronchitis, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis, bladder infection (cystitis), diarrhea, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), and death.